CPSC10010
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Introduction to Crop Science (CPSC10010)
Subject: : Crop Science
College: : Health & Agricultural Sciences
School: : Agriculture & Food Science
Level: : 1 (Introductory)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Cathal McCabe
Trimester: : Spring
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
Successful crop production underpins successful agriculture and human nutrition in a global context, with an increased awareness developing locally in Ireland of the importance of a diverse, native crop production sector and the role it plays in meeting EU sustainability targets. \ \ This module provides the student with an overview of the key components of successful crop and plant-based agriculture in Ireland, Europe and internationally. \ \ These topics are framed to address sustainability concerns as they apply to climate change, crop protection methods and plant nutrition/fertilization\ \ Opportunities are provided to see how sustainability concerns are being addressed through ongoing research and up to date material.\ \ It will describe how crop production is influenced by biotic factors such as pests and diseases, and abiotic factors such as light and water availability.\ \ An introduction to crop genetics and biotechnology will be provided. \ \ Each student will be assigned a project designed to illustrate basic principles in crop science. \ \ On completion of this module, students will\ \ a) Have the capacity to identify and describe key agricultural cereal and non-cereal crops\ b) Demonstrate an awareness of the key pests and pathogens impacting crops globally\ c) Demonstrate an understanding of the key factors limiting crop performance\ d) Understand the significance of crop classification\ e) Develop an understanding of future crop production scenarios\
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module students should be able to: fully understand the development of crop production in Ireland and appreciate the factors that have influenced it in the past and may do in the future. Students should also be able to explain and demonstrate the relevance of the basic sciences in crop science including:\ 1. Describe and explain the importance of crops for world food production. \ 2. Identify and describe the basic principles of plant growth.\ 3. Evaluate the theoretical and practical aspects of agronomic principles\ \
Indicative Module Content:
History of Agriculture: Crop Domestication\ Crop classification\ Crop Taxonomy\ Biology of plant reproductive systems.\ Chemistry of food plants\ Genetic improvement of crops \ GMO and gene editing \ Photosynthesis \ Sustainable agriculture \ Crop Development\ Cropping systems\ Weeds\ Biotic stress: crop pathogens\ Crop - microbe interactions\ Resistance to crop pathogens\ Abiotic Stress \ \
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 |
| Specified Learning Activities | 40 |
| Autonomous Student Learning | 46 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 110 |
\
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The approaches to teaching and learning include: \ \ An active/task-based learning project. \ Lectures \
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:\
This module is not suitable for 2nd year Agriculture students.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (In-person): End of Semester MCQ Exam | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | No |
| Exam (In-person): In class exam 20 MCQ Questions 10 Short answer questions | Week 7 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 40 | No |
| Individual Project: Individual project outlined in class | Week 10 | Standard conversion grade scale 40% | No | 20 | No |
\
Carry forward of passed components
Yes
\
What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Yes - 2 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment\ • Online automated feedback\ • Self-assessment activities\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Feedback is done individually post-assessment via Brightspace for the project. Throughout the module MCQ questions examples are discussed after each lecture.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Assoc Professor Angela Feechan | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Gary Gillespie | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Cathal McCabe | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Zoe McKay | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Thurs 10:00 - 10:50 |
| Spring | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 | Tues 10:00 - 10:50 |